"Is it true, Jack, that you are under promise to take this young girl to Douw Fonda's house in Caughnawaga?" asked Lady Johnson.
"Yes, madam."
She turned to Penelope: "When do you desire to set out?"
"As soon as may be, my lady."
"I like you. I wish you would remain and share my loneliness."
"I would, my lady, only I feel in honour bound to go to Mr. Fonda."
Claudia passed her arm around the Scottish girl's slim waist.
"Come," she coaxed, "be my companion! Be more friend than servant, more sister than friend. For I, also, begin to love you, with your dark eyes and yellow hair, and your fine hands and sweet, fresh skin, like a child from a bath."
They both laughed, looking at each other with a gaze shy but friendly, like two who seem to think they are, perhaps, destined to love each other.
"I wish I might remain," said the Scottish girl, reluctantly turning toward me.